Get Set!

How many times have you screamed or heard someone shout “She was not Set!” or “He was moving Ref!” when an official calls a player control foul?

Myth: A defensive player must be set in order to draw an offensive foul.

Fact: A defensive player is required to obtain initial legal guarding position.

After a defensive player has established legal guarding position:

• They may have one or both feet on the playing court or be airborne, provided he/she has inbound status. To further clarify, if a defensive player has one foot inbounds and the other foot touching an out-of-bounds line, they do not have legal guarding position and the correct call would be a blocking foul.
• They are not required to continue facing the offensive player.
• They may move laterally or obliquely to maintain position, provided it is not toward the offensive player if / when contact occurs.
• They may raise hands or jump within his/her own vertical plane. This vertical plane extends to the top of the gym, provided someone can jump that high.
• They may turn or duck to absorb the shock of imminent contact.

A charging foul by an offensive player is illegal personal contact caused by pushing or moving into the defensive player, provided the defensive player has established legal guarding position as shown above.

Here are some more key elements:

• An offensive player who is moving with the ball is required to stop or change direction to avoid contact if the defensive player has obtained legal guarding position within his / her path.
• If the defensive player has obtained legal guarding position, the offensive player with the ball must get his / her head and shoulders past the torso of the defensive player. If contact occurs on the torso of the defensive player, the dribbler is responsible for the contact.
• There must be reasonable space between two defensive players or a defensive player and a boundary line to allow the dribbler to continue his / her path. If there is less than 3 feet of space, the dribbler once again has the greater responsibility for the contact.
• The offensive player with the ball may not push the torso of the guard to gain an advantage to pass, shoot or dribble.

As officials, we are trained to referee the defense first in order to ensure the above criteria has been met and maintained. It is important for the common fan to know that this is one of the most difficult plays for officials to rule on, especially for officials that are early in their career. This play is a judgement call and since we are human, it would be poor judgement on your part to believe that all officials will see these plays the same.

You just have to accept the fact that there are officials that will call a block most of the time and some that lean towards calling a charge. It is up to the coaches and players to adjust to the way the game is being officiated, which adds to the complexity and challenge of the game.

I know it is difficult, but I would encourage fans to try and view the game objectively and judge officials based on their consistency, hustle and professionalism.

Myth # 2: Officials have a vested interest in making sure the home team wins and gives the home team the benefit of the doubt on 50/50 plays like a block or charge.

Fact: Most people serving as officials do so to give back to the game and the communities in their area. We are doing good to be in a different city 4-5 times per week and keep up with the pace of the game, so there is no time to think about cheating the road team.
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Thank you again for spending 3 Seconds in the Stripes!

**NFHS Basketball Rule Book was utilized to help create this post. Please see rules 4-23-2, 4-23-3, and 4-7-2**